(VOVWORLD) - Vietnam treasures ties with New Zealand in its foreign policy, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said during a reception in Hanoi on Monday for New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
 Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong welcomes New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in Hanoi, November 14, 2022. |
He thanked New Zealand for offering support to Vietnam over the past years, including the deployment of the Vietnam-New Zealand Action Program for the 2021-2024 period and the fight against COVID-19.
PM Ardern spoke highly of similarities in the two countries’ foreign policies of peace loving, independence and self-reliance and peaceful settlement of disputes and differences.
The two leaders underscored the importance of strengthening trust, dialogue, friendly cooperation and goodwill in seeking solutions to global issues.
 President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. (Photo: VNA) |
Meeting with PM Ardern the same day, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc suggested that the two countries expand cooperation to new areas such as energy transition, green growth, opening of seasonal direct flights, and cooperation between universities.
The New Zealand PM said New Zealand will help Vietnam strengthen ties with South Pacific island states.